Peter Amanya and our guide in the safari van
Buyaga Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2017)
- Member Of:
- UTB & AUTO MEMBER
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $450 to $1,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
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for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
IT
Email Sabino Giarnetti | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience! Absolutely recommended!
We chose a 10 days private tour including Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, Machinson Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps tracking), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable (Gorilla tracking), Lake Bunyoni and Lake Mburo NP. The proposed program was well balanced for our expectations: a lot of activities and some relaxing moments just to recover our energy. Moreover, compared with proposals received by other tour operators, the Buyaga Safaris proposal included more activities and the Chimps tracking in Kibale (the most expensive with the highest chance to see the Chimps up close) at a similar price. We considered this as a good value for our money.
In the preparation phase we easily communicated with Peter (the owner of the company) which proposed us several accommodation solutions (August is very busy and not all the lodges were available).
We were accompanied on the journey by Peter and he’s a very special guide. During the traveling between a stage and the following one (the trips could be quite long), he gave us a lot of interesting information about Uganda, the traditions and food (we asked him to try local food and we did it!). Talk to Peter is very easy and enjoyable. Despite some long journeys, the time was pleasantly spent thanks to Peter's company and the comfort of the van.
The lodges we stayed in were of good standard (a couple of them were great!).
All the activities organized by Peter were fine. Each of them added something new to our travel. Peter also spent himself to maximize the chances to see the animals, changing, if necessary, the scheduling of the activities depending on the weather. In Kibale forest he also rearranged the activities in order to do Chimps tracking in the afternoon instead of the morning avoiding the crowds. It was great! We saw many Chimps very close and with an acceptable number of visitors!
Finally, we absolutely recommend to travel with Buyaga Safaris!
Easy to deal with, always available
From the very first moment communication with Peter was easy and always available to answer my many questions. I always felt confident in my decision of booking with him and paying in advance. I am a solo traveller and ended up having a 9 day private safari, just me and the driver-guide (friend!).
All accommodations were superb, much more than I expected.
I feel very lucky to have Derrick as my driver and guide. He is a young man very passionate about his job and country, always sharing his knowledge, punctual, making sure all was ok, polite, always accommodating to my needs and wants, and nice to have as company, especially when traveling alone.
I felt very welcomed and had an incredible time in Uganda. Hopefully will return one day! Thank you!!
NL
Email Sarah | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good value for money
Safari
Initially me and my friend wanted to do a gorilla trekking only in Uganda but later on decided to extend our trip with a safari. We knew the price of a weekend gorilla trekking would be at least $1000, because the permits are expensive and since we were gonna be in the country anyway, we decided to extend the trip with other activities as well.
We chose this operator because it included all the activities we wanted to do at the lowest price. Other operators were at least $500-$1000 more expensive. The value for money is good. The accommodation you will be staying in will not be luxury, but that’s also not what you payed for. You are able alter the itinerary yourself and we did so with one of the accommodations. We felt as though our guide did not like the accommodation we chose as much as his initial pick, but we were very pleased with our change. It’s therefore good to know you can alter it, but the guide may have a few bad comments regarding your pick.
Peter is a very friendly guide. Especially in the preparation phase, he would respond to messages very quickly. My friend celebrated her birthday during the trip and Peter made sure a (gluten free) birthday cake was prepared and even bought a few gifts for her, which was very thoughtful.
The safari itself was great. We did not expect we had to wake up at 5-6 am so many times, so that was a bit of a shock and resulted in us being exhausted by the end of the trip. That’s why we do recommend to alter the itinerary slightly and have a few more relaxing mornings or afternoons in the schedule, because it’s currently fully packed with activities. We did not expect it to be this tiring, otherwise we would have put a few relaxing moments in beforehand. Additionally otherwise you are together with your tour guide 24/7 (all the activities + meals) and you feel as though you have no quality time with your travel partner able to relax.
The only disappointment activity wise were the lions at Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. One of the reasons why we chose this operator (besides the price) was because it included the famous tree climbing lions where others didn’t. Well during the trip we found out there was a reason other operators did not include the lions, it’s because they are no longer alive unfortunately. We were very shocked to hear this news and even more so because we did not think it was fair that it was included in our itinerary, when they are no longer there. When we expressed this disappointment to our guide, he did not understand. So be prepared that the famous tree climbing lions are no longer there. The park you visit to supposedly look for them, is great to visit anyway! They should however write down in the itinerary that the famous lions are no longer there.
Overall it definitely was a once in a lifetime trip and we were very happy we traveled with Buyaga. The tour it private so you don’t have to share your bus/car with anybody else, which means you always have the best seat to spot animals. Peter made sure he always hired rangers to join us in the car, who were very knowledgable on the area and the animal whereabouts. They even made us go off track sometimes to see lions up close, which was great.
Would definitely recommend this tour and operator!
NZ
Email Nathan Milicich | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kiwi and Mexican Traveling to Uganda
My girlfriend and I book a private 4 days 3 nights Tour.
Let me tell you we regret not booking more days. Uganda has many beautiful faces we just didn’t have the time to see more.
Our tour guide Petter, was simply the best. He is knowledge about any topic we asked (making it truly interesting), all about we having the best time and with a great positive attitude. That definitely made our visit to Uganda more special.
He pick us up from our hotel and dropped the same no problems.
The van we got had A/C and ‘The Best’ plugs to charge our devices (suggest you to bring a Chinese plug adapter).
We were really happy with all the lodges we stayed at. If anything you don’t like just share with your tour guide, and he will take note or try for change whatever is possible.
Just relax and have a good time, your tour guide will take care of you :).
NL
Email Aveline | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing and priceless safari
In June we decided last minute to do a trip in Uganda and we chose Buyaga for our trip. They are fast to reply and try their ultimate best to make sure you get the experience you want. We did a 10 day trip and had a private tour. We had Alex as our guide at the beginning of our trip and at the end we had Peter as our guide. They were both amazing and made us feel truly at home in Uganda. They were very knowledgeable and kind. We stayed at beautiful lodges with amazing food. If you are still deciding on a tour operator for your Ugandan trip, I would highly recommend you choose Buyaga. They are worth every penny!
NL
Email Eva Nuwenhoud | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great organization, fantastic company
Everything was really well arranged for my tour. I kind of booked last minute (3 weeks before arriving), but Peter made sure he also arranged the items I did not even look into yet. What I really enjoyed was the combination of luxury and community lodges on the road. It was not Peter, but Derrick who went with me as a guide and he was wonderful company. I learned a lot about the country, the culture and Africa in general. I would (and I do) absolutely recommend this company.
US
Email T Garcia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Communicative, knowledgeable, kind, funny!
I highly recommend booking with Buyaga Safaris! Our trip was an absolute dream. Peter was so communicative with us from the start and made everything very easy by answering any questions we had. Our trip was amazing and we had no complaints at all. The lodges were all beautiful with exceptional views and great food. We saw so many different animals throughout our time in Uganda, including 3 leopards! I would book with Peter’s company again in a heartbeat and go all over again if I could.
Amazing experience in good company and secure hands - and we saw leopards!
Travelling with Buyaga Safaris was really fantastic. From the beautiful places we stayed in, to the activities and food. Everything was perfect and we saw gorillas, lions, leopards, eagles and elephants among so many others. The company thinks ahead and plans well to make sure all the arrangements are in place for you on arrival at every destination or activity. The boss is called Peter and his care, consideration and concern for your wellbeing means you are in really good hands. Peter himself is friendly and fun to be with and as a guide, he will fill you in on the local customs, some of the history and up to date circumstances of the country, which add flavour to the information from the rangers and guides about the wonderful flora and fauna all around. I can say that my journey with Buyaga was amazing and I am already looking forward to next year’s trip! Thank you.
US
Email Anna C | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An unforgettable experience
Peter, the director of Buyaga Safaris was extremely helpful leading up to the trip and very communicative. He even organized for a birthday cake as a surprise for my husband’s birthday. All of our accommodations were beautiful and memorable in their own ways and of course the gorilla trekking was one of the most amazing things we have ever done. Alex was our guide for the 5 day trip and he was so easy to get along with and so knowledgeable about the whole trip and locations where we traveled. He kept us on time and helped make the most out of all of the activities we had lined up. Alex answered all of the questions we had and his driving skills are most excellent. We felt very comfortable and safe in his hands. If you are considering a safari with Buyaga, feel confident that you will have a wonderful and memorable experience. We strongly felt that the value was great for the money we spent and would do the whole thing over again in a heartbeat.
Email Nabila | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A lifelong dream come true :)
I have been wanting to see the gorillas for many years, with my last attempt being in March 2020...
Luckily I was able to come to Uganda again and searched for reputable operators to help me achieve this. Peter's company quickly stood out as just that - and boy did he deliver!
Peter is a knowledgeable and friendly guide. I travelled alone and often requested changes to the day's plans which he went above and beyond to accommodate. He has a wealth of local knowledge and loads of anecdotes that make the road trips extra-special.
Everything was very well organised, down to the comfort breaks which is a nice touch, especially if travelling as a female alone. The activities were
The lodges (Bakiga; Birdnest Bunyonyi and Elephant Hab) were excellent: great facilities, good food and friendly service, as well as breathtaking views at each lodge, which was wonderful.
The activities were well planned and occurred with no surprises nor delays.
Peter was a delight to travel with, easy to talk with and just lovely to be in his company and learn about Uganda, off the beaten track.
If you are looking for a well organised trip at competitive rates, Peter is the one to contact!